The city of Jacksonville, FL is the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. Not surprisingly, this place is home to numerous local landmarks and attractions that make it an increasingly popular destination among visitors from all around the world. If you are searching for nearby places to explore in your 2023 BMW X1, here are three of the best tourist sites in and around the city.
3 of the Best Tourist Sites in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL
1. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Sitting right by the confluence of the Trout and St. Johns River at 370 Zoo Parkway, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, covering an area of over 120 acres and welcoming more than one million visitors each year. Taking part in over 50 national and international initiatives for the conservation of species, this zoo is home to over 2,000 different animals.
First established in 1914, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has become a true symbol of the city. A major redevelopment took place in the 1990s, and the place is nowadays divided into a series of thematic exhibits. Some of the species you will find here include jaguars, rhinos, flamingos, giraffes, elephants, apes, manatees, koalas, Malayan tigers, babirusas, and Visayan warty pigs.
2. Museum of Science and History
Located at 1025 Museum Circle and right by the southern banks of the St. Johns River, the Museum of Science and History of Jacksonville is another excellent local attraction you should check out while in the city. Established in the early 1940s, this is the most visited museum in Jacksonville and features an extensive array of permanent and temporary exhibits that showcase the history of the area along with some of the major scientific developments that are shaping its future.
Whether you are visiting Jacksonville alone or with your family, the Museum of Science and History is a place you should not miss. Some of the most recommended exhibits and areas include “Health in Motion,” “Currents of Time,” “Interpreting Northeast Florida,” the Space Science Gallery, and the JEA Science Theater.
3. Little Talbot Island State Park
Located about 25 miles northeast of the city center, Little Talbot Island State Park is a well-known tourist attraction and one of the most popular weekend getaways among Jacksonville residents. A sprawling nature reserve sitting on the Atlantic shore, this state park covers an area of about 2,500 acres and features salt marshes, dunes, and maritime forests that provide habitat to a variety of migratory birds. Getting here from downtown Jacksonville takes about half an hour via Heckscher Drive.
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